One of the things I have been most looking forward to on this trip, and have already partaken in as you have seen if you have been keeping up with the Picture Postcards, is the chance to relax along the back corner of World Showcase in France. This, as longtime readers will already understand, is a passion of mine; to take in a showing of Impressions de France followed by a sidewalk rendezvous with a raspberry schuss from the Boulangerie Patisserie.

On a rare occasion, or rather more often than not, the Boulangerie Patisserie has been out of the raspberry schuss and I have been compelled to find surrogate fare. Generally this means headed straight for the rich and decadent chocolate mousse.

Today, for those of you wanting to follow along at home, or for those of you who are simply seeking a fantastic mousse recipe, I submit to you the Boulangerie Patisserie’s chocolate mousse:

Beat egg whites together with sugar until stiff peaks form. Lightly fold the egg whites into the chocolate mixture. Spoon mousse into a mold or individual serving containers. Chill mousse for approximately 2 hours or until firm.

Once upon a time Disney-MGM Studios showcased a gifted group of individuals known as animators. This assembled talent worked on feature films such as Lilo and Stitch, Mulan, and Brother Bear, among others. While there are still animators and artists present within Disney’s Hollywood Studios, all extremely brilliant in their own rights, the production of feature animation has been halted for some time.

Back in 1989, just as Disney-MGM Studios was opening, the idea of being able to tour an animation studio currently working on films, some of which no one had seen any artwork for, was a brand new concept. This concept was something the park latched onto and made sure that guests were aware of. Presented below is the original press release for the animation tour.

Maps are a part of life within Walt Disney World. At the very least, first time or long absent guests require the guide maps to gain their bearings. Some folks, like me, like to collect these guide maps as a personal time capsule into what the world looked liked at any given point. Yet, there is even a further depth to maps in Walt Disney World, they surround guest experiences even if they aren’t looking for them.Many of these maps showcase railway lines such as the Pacific Electric Railway. Other maps showcase large land masses, both real and imaginary, for instance Tibet, Anandapur, or the Harambe Wildlife Reserve, the last of which also features a glimpse into the Eastern Star Railway routes. While still other charts surreally blend the invented and the discovered, guides like the Atlantic chart found in the Swiss Family Treehouse or the trails of Pecos Bill.These maps are not crucial to any specific attraction, show, or experience. In fact, they aren’t even needed to tell the story of a given land or area, they could be removed and most guests would be none the wiser. However, for the guests that soak up their surroundings they add to the sense of created place, giving a real world feel to wood and fiberglass and concrete. Without a Cast Member present to give you guidance and show you along, these charts are storytelling devices that move the tale you are engrossed in along.Increasing the depth of a story is one of the time honored Disney traditions and these maps, whether you take notice of them or not, uphold that principle.

Last year on research trips, vacations, and gatherings with friends, Pop Century was my home away from home. In fact, I spent all three 2008 trips in the same corner of Pop Century. Thus far this year, as it appears, it looks as if All-Star Music will be my home away from home. So, as I embark on another trip to Walt Disney World, I thought I would take a moment to look back at last year’s Destination Wilson. And since there are going to be plenty of photographs filling up the site this week, how about a little insight into a detail too?

This cell phone, bulky in its design, is remnant of the first phones of freedom we all carried around with us. But what about that number this guest is calling, or receiving a call from? Why, it’s obvious, isn’t it? They’re calling Pop Century!